THE highly-debated Chandos Street will be returned to two-way traffic in a move Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey believes shows council “is in touch with the community”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) made the controversial decision to partly close the street to one-way traffic-only in September 2014.
The move has since drawn community ire, with Kelvin residents condemning it for adding extra time to trips and the business community lamenting on traffic woes.
Cr Rob Hooke last month requested that councillors be provided with costings to change the one-way traffic conditions in Chandos Street, between Conadilly Street and Little Conadilly Street, to two way, leaving the current dual parking arrangements in place on the western side and changing the eastern side to 45 degree reverse angle parking.
Last night, the matter went before GSC’s ordinary meeting, where councillors resolved to forge ahead with the $72,000 decision.
“There was much discussion in relation to the motion,” Cr Chaffey said.
“There were amendments (proposed) and defeated.
“The original motion stood, it went to vote and succeeded, so in the new year, works can be scheduled.”
Cr Chaffey welcomed the decision on the back of much public debate, with a signature garnering 5000 signatures to reverse the decision.
“It’s a very emotive issue and the number one issue raised in the election campaign,” he said.
“For me, I’m quite happy councillors didn’t shoot from the hip and go hell to leather to make it two-way (traffic).
“I’m proud we took all the detailed information and suggestions (to make the decision).”
Councillors resolved to allocated $72,051 to undertake the works, which will include reinstating the kerb to its original alignment, signage, pavement, waste disposal and reinstalling the island.
Cr Chaffey said the shared plaza strategy of the former council was still the long-term desire for the stretch, but doing this option would allow for that down the track.
“We’d like to see that development,” he said.
“We made the decision to … make it two-way traffic and even though the funds are not available now (for the shared plaza), it’s not a waste of money because this needs to be done anyway so we can deliver the open space strategy.
“It shows we’re in touch with our community. It’s a good result.”
